The Rise of an Electrician

By: Andre’ R. Goodbee Goodbee Controls & Electrical Contracting Location: Capital Region, New York

My journey to becoming an electrician started in my teenage years. My neighbor, who was a true handyman in every meaning of the word, was my first introduction to learning what it meant to fix things with your own hands. I watched him from my porch; fix cars, renovate his own home, build his family a new porch, roof, etc. I thought to myself “this man has a wealth of knowledge.” So, one day, he said to me, “if you always want to have a way to make money or have a “job” learn a trade, there will always be a need for skilled labor.” After that conversation, I did some research on who made the most money in the trades, and at that point in time it was the electrical trade.

So, when it was time to pick my new courses for the next year in high school, I chose electrical. We had the Abrookin Vocational Center at Albany High School, which housed the skilled trades training programs. Taking something completely new excited me from the everyday school day, the course was two periods long, so it was not your normal class. From there I attended Hudson Valley Community College and obtained my A.O.S. in Electrical Construction & Maintenance.

Shortly after graduation, I landed a job with the NYS Assembly doing telecommunications, which I worked for a few years. Then I heard about the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and how they are a union and get prevailing wages with benefits. Also, there is a 5-year apprenticeship program where you can work, learn, and make a decent wage. I completed the program and became a certified NYS Journeyman Electrician. I got my entrepreneurial spirit from my mother. Seeing her go through the process of creating a business at an early age. It inspired me to want to do the same. Just like her, I too went to the Chamber of Commerce to seek guidance on how to refine my passion and dreams. Single parent with two kids, full time job, creating inspiration for her kids, the community, and future generations to come.

Goodbee Controls & Electrical Contracting, Inc., was founded by Andre R. Goodbee to provide superior electrical services. Goodbee Controls is an electrical contracting company based in Albany, New York, serving the Capital District and beyond. They are proficient in all facets of electrical contract work, specializing in low voltage systems such as fire alarms, and control systems. They are building great client relationships through providing quality electrical services.

Goodbee Controls & Electrical Contracting E: goodbeecontrols@gmail.com P: 518-209-3826 W: Goodbeecontrols.com